May 14-15 Austin conference to focus on trade with Cuba

Insights on how to export food and agricultural goods to Cuba as well as learning more about Cuba's food and agricultural markets will be the focus of a May conference at the Omni Austin Hotel, South Park.

“Doing Business with Cuba,” which will be held May 14-15, is sponsored by the Texas Cuba Trade Alliance. It will feature speeches by Dagoberto Rodriguez, chief of the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, and Wayne Smith, chief, of the Cuban interest Section in Havana.

“This program is designed to inform Texas firms of the export potential in Cuba and the process that needs to be followed in order to travel there, how to obtain export licensing, and how to get paid for exports,” said Dr. Parr Rosson, director of the Center for North American Studies at Texas A&M University and an economist with Texas Cooperative Extension.

“Food processors, commodity handlers, trade facilitators, and community leaders should all have an interest in Cuba's market potential and the impact that successful exports can have on profitability, economic growth and job creation in Texas.”

New trade relations between Cuba and the United States opened in October 2000. The U.S. came out with regulations allowing more transparent trade, which currently is for exports only, including cash sales of food and medicine.

Conference topics include United States-Cuba Relations; Obtaining Licenses for Sales to Cuba; Doing Business in Cuba; Traveling to Cuba; Port Infrastructures and Logistics; Getting Paid for Exports to Cuba; and Experiences in Exporting to Cuba, featuring a panel of agribusiness leaders.

Early registration is $100 prior to May 1 and $150 thereafter.

For registration and more information, contact Rosson or Flynn Adcock at (979) 845-3070 or e-mail prosson@tamu.edu